Invited Paper: Coaching Psychology for Recovery: A Nomothetic or Idiographic journey.
Hugh O Donovan with Martin O’ Connor
COVID-19 has brought the reality of existential uncertainty into our daily lives, manifested in our work, our relationships and impacting on our capacity to communicate and connect meaningfully with one another. Coaching Psychology, in its research, practice and teaching, has been endeavouring to clarify its relevance and application across the broad spectrum of human experience, inclusive of interacting with people experiencing significant mental distress (mental illness). This process needs to continue. Following a recent coaching psychology intervention with individuals with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) attached to the mental health system in Ireland, (GLOW 2, 2018) the authors have reviewed the mental health and recovery literature with a view towards opening up a conversation around how Coaching Psychology might bring value to the lived experience of individuals with BPD. This forms the content of a book to be published in 2021.
Hugh O Donovan, a Chartered Psychologist (C.Psychol P.s.S.I) is a founding member and former Chair of the Coaching Psychology Group (CPG), Division of Work Psychology (DWOP), Psychological Society of Ireland. He is an honorary Vice President of the Society of Coaching Psychology and also a founding member of the Special Group in Coaching Psychology (British Psychological Society).
Professionally, Hugh runs a successful work psychology and coaching psychology practice. He is programme Co-director of the first Coaching / Coaching Psychology Higher Diploma to be anchored in an Applied Psychology Department in Ireland. He is also co-founder of the first Masters in Coaching Psychology programme to be delivered in an Irish University. His published model of coaching (CRAIC) for the Irish Coaching Psychology context is a first in the Irish Coaching Psychology field and it was used as the overarching psychological framework for the GLOW programmes.